Bedside cabinet and table structure



Aug. 23, 1955 H. M. BERNER 2,716,045

BEDSIDE CABINET AND TABLE STRUCTURE Fild Oct. 10, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

WWZ/Qaw Q52 [/0 a6 ATTORNEYS.

3, 1955 H. M. BERNER 2,716,045

BEDSIDE CABINET AND TABLE STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 10, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'IHHIIIIHIB] I Ilium.

52 INVENTOR.

M Vflfiarzw ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent BEDSIDE CABINET AND TABLE STRUCTURE Harry M. Berner, Chicago, 111., assignor to American Hospital Supply Corporation, Evanston, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 10, 1951, Serial No. 250,720

Claims. (Cl. 312281) This invention relates to a bedside cabinet and table structure. The invention is particularly useful in a hospital, etc., where it is desired to bring a bedside table over the bed of the patient while at the same time providing a cabinet containing an adjustable reading lamp, the structure providing three pieces of furniture in one combination, together with shelves and hinged drawers, making it possible for the patient to serve himself while saving nurses time, etc.

An object of the invention is to provide a structure in which a cabinet and table structure are provided for ready movement upon a floor to bring the table over the bed and the cabinet and the lamp into various desired positions with respect to the bed. A further object is to provide a single beam support whereby the table may be adjustably carried upon the beam while at the same time providing a support for the cabinet thereon and providing also a free beam portion adapted to be moved under the bed when the table is placed over the bed. Yet another object is to provide a cabinet and bedside table structure wherein the broad front face of the cabinet is brought into engagement with the side of the bed as a means for stabilizing the table extending above the bed. A still further object is to provide a cabinet and bedside table structure wherein the telescoping tubes for vertically adjusting and supporting the table are housed within the cabinet and carried by a central beam upon which the cabinet also rests. A still further object is to provide a cabinet structure in combination with a bedside table wherein various utensils, vessels and other things needed by the patient are brought within ready reach of the patient while at the same time providing supports for flowers, radio, and other electrical instruments, and in which drawers for the patients belongings, etc., are provided and made readily accessible to the patient. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown in an illustrative embodiment by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a cabinet and bedside table structure embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a top plan view; Fig. 3, a side view in elevation; Fig. 4, a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale, the section being taken as indicated at line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, an enlarged sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken at lines 6-6 of Fig. 5.

In the illustration given, 10 designates a longitudinal beam which forms the support for the cabinet table-lifting means, etc. which will be hereinafter described. The beam 10 has a forwardly projecting free portion 10a, adapted to extend under the bed, and this portion may be covered by a stainless steel cover 11. The forward end of the beam portion 10a is provided with a caster 12 or other anti-friction or roller means.

Supported upon the beam 10 at a point a little rear of the center, is a fixed tube 13 upon which is mounted a slideable tube 14. The fixed tube 13, near its upper end, is provided with a nut 15 secured by welding or other means to the fixed tube 13, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6. Within the nut 15 is threadably supported a screw "ice 16 which is provided with a non-threaded portion rotatably mounted in the table 17. The screw 16 may be provided at its top with a handle 18 for rotating the screw. Such structure is shown in greater detail in my co-pending application, Serial No. 56,032, filed October 22, 1948, now Patent Number 2,628,147, issued February 10, 1953.

The table 17 may be equipped with a supporting member 19 for receiving a vanity pan 20, and above the pan may be supported hinged covers 21 hinged at their inner ends so that they may be tilted up centrally from either side. Such a structure is shown in my said co-pending application, Serial No. 56,032, now Patent Number 2,628,147.

Mounted upon the rear portion of the beam 10 is the cabinet 22. The cabinet is provided with a broad front wall 23 adapted to lie against the side of a bed to stabilize the structure when the table 17 is being supported in front of the patient and over the bed. The rear wall 24 of the cabinet may be, if desired, provided with ventilation apertures 25. Each side wall 26 is preferably provided with a large hinged door 27 having on its outer side a towelrack 28. Within the cabinet 22 is provided a large compartment accessible from either side. Any suitable partitions within the compartment may be employed. Partition 39 provides therebelow a large compartment with low rack 31 for supporting a vanity pan (drawn in dotted lines). The inside of each door 27 is equipped with a bag support 32 adapted to support an open bag (shown in dotted lines) for receiving papers, bandages, and waste material. Above the partition is a short partition wall 33 which is secured to the rear wall 22 and at its forward end to a vertical wall 34 and is adapted to receive a bedpan 36a (shown in dotted lines). On the portion of partition 30 which extends forwardly of wall 34 and on each side of the cabinet is mounted a support 35 adapted to receive a urinal 35a (shown in dotted lines). Within the compartment 36 formed by the walls 33 and 34 and the partition 31, may be placed toilet paper, emesis basins, soap dishes, etc.

The top of the cabinet 22 may be formed of a relatively heavy board 37 formed of plastic, resin, metal, or any suitable material. I prefer also to support above the top 37 a shelf member 38 and to enclose the space between members 37 and 33 by a casing consisting of the rear wall 39 and the front wall 40. I provide a partition wall 41 therebetween, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. Within each of the compartments 42 thus formed, 1 provide a drawer 43 which is supported by a hinge 44 upon the front wall 40. Each of the drawers is preferably provided with a closure 45 for the space 42 thus provided, and the closure has a handle 46. The drawer 43 on each side of the cabinet is thus readily available for receiving the personal articles of the patient, such as jewelry, wallet, spectacles, etc., all within easy reach of the patient. With the drawer structure shown, the entire width of the drawer is made available and accessible when the drawer is swung forwardly, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1.

Upon the shelf 38 is mounted a stand 47 for receiving a radio, flower vase, etc.

I prefer to support upon the shelf 38 a light base 49, upon which is mounted a lamp shade and an adjustable lamp support 50 equipped with an on-and-oif switch. The arm 50 and lamp shade are adjustable so that patients may adjust to suit their vision, etc. The base 49 is also preferably equipped with sockets 51 for receiving connections for radio and electrical appliances such as electric razors, etc. The base 49 also carries a light switch 49a which controls a night light 56 under the bottom of the cabinet 22.

It will be understood that the cabinet may be modified in structure depending upon the needs for supporting thev cabinet. 22 are provided with casters 52.

burning, etc.

With the. foregoing structure, the table and'cabinet' 3 utensils, etc., and the type of structures which are to be supported. The doors 27 may be held in closed position by permanently magnetized contacts or latches (not shown) ,-,and-may carry soap dishes, etc.

.With-;the structure shown, it will be noted that the single, beam lth extends centrally through the cabinet 22 andiorwardly of thecabinet, and provides thus the main support for'the cabinet: The forward end of the beam 10 issupportedby the caster 12, while the rear corners of At the same time, the centrally-positioned beamlfi provides a support'for the-bedside table 17.

Operation 7 In the operation, of the structure described, the bed: side cabinet and table may 'bemoved to either side of the bedand the table raised to bring it over the'bed' with the runner or.forward end'portion of the beam under the bed. The reading lamp may then be adjusted. for

reading and the cabinetiplaced' to aposition Where the patient will have access to the adjacent drawers and compartment space. The drawers 43' extend deeply within the compartment 42 but are readily made accessible and-actually made visible through their area by swinging the drawer 43 forwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

' The telescoping members 13 and 14 are housed within the cabinet andare thus kept free of dust, etc. that may be within the room. By suspending the cabinet upon the beam 10 and supporting'the table-carrying members 13'-and 14 thereon, a sturdy structure is provided through the utilization of the single-beam member which is readily maneuverable by the caster or rollers thereon and on The area provided ahea'd'of the cabinet'wall 34 and; above partition 30 provides vertical space ample for receiving .the urinal which may be supported upon the bracket 35, one of which is preferably provided for each side of the cabinet. The washbasin is conveniently supported'in verticalposition uponthe bracket or rack 31 mounted on.the floor of thecabinet. In the lower compartment a door 27 is utilized for carrying-a bag support 32, the bag being maintained in open position by the support for receiving waste tissues, bandages,- etc., and the bagbe'ing removable with such waste material'for may. be used on either side of a bed oremployed to servepatientsv in oppositely-disposed beds;

By reasonof the three-point support, it is easyto wheel the cabinet from one side of the room to the other-and to bring the table over the bed from either side. At the same time, the vertically movable table may be adjusted to rest upon, the top 37, or vertically.

raised to a position well above the top 38. and, in the latter position, the table provides substantiallya-continuation of the top 38.

I prefer to equip the back .of the cabinet with a slot or-tube. 53 providing a socket for-receiving the shank of avbottle-supporting rod 54. The rod is provided at its topwith a1 cross-arm 55 adapted-to receive the bail of an inverted bottle or the like fromv which parenteral fluids :are being dispensed.

Whjile:in theforegoingspecification, I have set forth a'specific structure in considerable detail for the purpose of-illustrating an; embodiment of: the invention, it will be understood that such details ofstructure may be varied Widely. by those skilledin the art Without departing-from the spirit of my invention- I claim: 1

1. In a structure of the character described, an elongated support beam equipped intermediate the ends thereof with an upwardly-extending support member, said support member being adapted1tosupport a table extending laterally. therefrom in substantially parallel relation with said beam andtoward one end thereof, a cabinet carried on saidbeam andrig-idlysecured thereto and extending substantially from adjacentsaid support'membet to the end opposite said one end of said beam, and floor supports carried by said beam and cabinet and being adapted to be received upona floor-for supporting said structure.

2; Thestructure of claim. 1 in which said support member' is rigidly, securedto; said beam at approximately the midpoint thereof whereby,v saidi beam provides a relatively long free endportion extendingmrtder-v atable, supported by; sai d-support member. 7

3. Thestructure of claim 2 in-which said support mem: ber extends upwardly through said cabinett adj acent the forward. wall; thereof.

4. In a structure of the character described, an elon.

gated support beamdisposed insubstantially a horizontal plane, and: being equ ipped intermediatethe ends thereof witha, support membenextending upwardly therefrom in substantiallY-ayertical plane, saidsupport member being tubular and adaptedtoadjustably support a table extending laterally, therefrom. in substantially parallel relation with-saidgbeam. and toward one end thereof, said support extending upwardlyfrom said beam at approximately the midpoint 'thereof, a. cabinet carried 'on said beam and rigidly. securedthereto and. enclosing said support'and extending therefrom'alongsaidbeam to the end opposite said-one; end, of, the beam, and. casters, one of which is carried by said beam and the others being carried by said, cabinet and ;all. being adapted to be received upon a.fio.or, ,there being three castersin all whereby a threepoint; support .for said.structure,is provided. I

5. Ida bedside. cabinet-structure adapted for use in hospitals, anelongatedzsupport beam adapted to be disposedfin' a generally horizontal plane, a generally vertical. supportumember'secured to said beamintermediate the ends thereof. and extending upwardly therefrom, said 1 support memberbeing adapted to provide an adjustable.

mountingifo r atable. disposed inavhorizontal plane in spaced relation above a free end .portion of said beam, a

constructed and "arranged so that said support member extends. upwardly therethrough,. and floor supports carried'by said'beamand cabinet, at leastone of said floor supports being. mounted adjacent thefree, end portion of said lbeam.

References Cited in the fileof thispatent UNITE2D- STATES PATENTS' 589,463 Case Sept. 7, 18.97, 1,310,284 Davies July, 15, 19.19 1,334,949v Falls- Mar. 30, 1920 1,472,570 Snider ,Oct. 30, 1923. 1,579,784: Rothschild Apr. 6, 1926 1,666,646 Gomme Apr. 17, 1928 1,817,186 Gr'aftf Aug. 4, 1931 13889388 Patterson -l Nov. 9, 1932 1,948,703 Fanarjian 1934 2,216,789 S'criven 1940 2,272,819 Poetsch et'al. 1942 2,313,180 Tathwell Mar. 9; 1943 2,346,919 Hillenbrand Apr. 18, 1944 2,393,598 'Dyettet a1: Jan. 29, 1946" FOREIGN PATENTS 160,401 Switzerland May"1,' 1933" 

